small business or chain store?

[Roonis]

Hi,

I live in the Ottawa, Canada region and was just wondering if it would be better (or cheaper) to go to a small windshield glass shops for a crack repair or to a Chain store?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!!

[bill4117]

try to go to a small shop that specializes in repair only if possible. most "chain" stores are replacement shops that do quick fill it and forget it repair work. most small mom and pop style shops rely on quality rather then volume to make their money and their reputation as reguards each and every customer determines whether they sink or swin. and most likely the owner of the company is on hand to oversee operations and make sure work quality is up to snuff as his name is personally on the line with every repair.

just my two cents... hope this helps.

[GlassMan SGC]

my opinion would be just the opposite. I personaly would go to a nation wide chain due to several reasons, but the main 2 would be for possible warranty issues, & training. MOST national companys have went alittle more into detail in having a more indepth training for their techs. With the company I work for, you have to go through a VERY indepth training course & pass a national certification test just in order to do the repairs. But, not all national companys do this, so check into it. Also, with possible warranty issues, no matter HOW good you think you are, there is still the cahnce of having a bad repair. As a customer, I would MUCH RATHER know that if my repair failed, that the work done on my car, which I worked my butt off to buy, would be covered under warranty, nationwide, reguardless. Its all about the customer service. This is NOT to say that small mom & pa stores don't do a good job, but who would you rather work on your hard earned property?

[Robin Hood]

The National chains in my area, to include the one GlassMan SGC speaks for, will try and get you to replace first and then repair then screw up the repair to force a replacement. I have first hand experience with GlassMan SGC company in my area and have to explain to their past customers that I will perform a great repair to the best of my ability because I don't do replacements. Seems that most don't believe in repair because of the bait and switch tactic from these National companies in my area.

[SGT]

I try to always support local businesses becuase that is who supports us. If the local mom and pop store is known for shoddy work, I would not use them and select a national co. though. One thing I do agree on is the Ol' bait and switch tactic. I will go out on a limb here and say this is a nationwide issue. In our area there are also companies that do this for the bigger profit margins. Poor customer has no clue. Do to this, alot of customers now feel WSR is a gimmick. We all know, when done properly, this service is fantastic and a more cost effective and safer alternative to full replacement. I guess the beast is to big to tame though.....

I feel that it is in the best interests of the insured,the insurance co., and the network(unless ofcourse it is one of there subsiderary shops) that a windshield repair specialist should be dispatched as the first option so there is no conflict of interest. Harmon has taken this approach and I believe that Netcost also pushes for repair first. I know the big boys, Lynx and Safelite offer repair but I think they need to have there CSR's better so they can better educate the customers on all the benefits of WSR. Most people in our area that we service had no clue WSR was available. Getting the honest word out there is the biggest problem for us. Why would'nt you repair your windshield when possible, just like a flat tire.

Oh back on track here...I would go where you would get a proper replacement using quality materials done by qualified technicians. You will have to ask around. If you shop by price only well who knows what you will get.

[Delta Kits]

The later posts in this thread have all been removed. The original poster requested generic info regarding small businesses or chains, NOT attacks on specific small businesses or specific chains.

Thread locked.